Disclaimer: I don't own Dragonball Z or any of its characters.
Disclaimer 2: I'm only going to leave this disclaimer up for a little bit but go ahead and remove it from Chapter 1. Can we forget that Kinto 'un was mentioned in the first chapter? It doesn't fit with the theme at all and it could've served as almost a sort of deus ex machina here. I hate going back and changing things, but if you look at the other events in the story, it really doesn't fit, y'know? Thanks for understanding.
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I am not happy.
Trunks is still dating Marron. It's February 2. It's almost been 2 months since they started dating. Two months. That's how long my girlfriend and I lasted before breaking up. Trunks hasn't broken up with her yet, though. I wonder if they're in love. They can't be. If they're in love, then what about me?
Oh, and the swimming competition is in a few days. I've been doing pretty well at practices and think that I can at least place second. That's being generous, even. But you never know what kind of crazy swimmers they'll have at these things.
As I walk back to my dorm (still rooming with Yamato), I pull my jacket on tight as the cold night wind hits my face. I enter the warmth of the hall and walk up to my second floor room, where I see a sock on the doorknob. I stare at it for a few seconds before running an exasperated hand through my hair. Well, what do you want me to do, Yamato?
I wonder if he's in there with a guy or a girl.
I take out my cellphone and begin to dial Trunks's number before remembering that he's out on a date with Marron tonight. A "POND," as he's begun to call it, short for "Potentially OverNight Date." So I guess he and Marron are out. Shit.
I begin to search through my contact list. No, not Bra. How about... Haku? I call him.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Haku! This is Goten."
"Oh, hey! What's up?"
"Not much. My roommate is having sex or something and kicked me out of the room. Could I stay at your place tonight?"
"Yeah, sure, come on over. You don't mind sleeping on the couch, do you?"
"No, not at all! Thanks."
"No problem. See you in a bit."
I walk over, briefly reentering the cold outside, and when I arrive, Haku is laying out a pillow and blanket on the couch.
"Wow, Haku, thanks! You didn't have to go to such trouble."
"No problem at all. Have a good night," he says, leaving the room.
I turn out the light, fluff the pillow a bit, and rest my head on it gently, pulling the blanket to cover me.
How nice of him.
Stupid Trunks.
I fall asleep.
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I wake up the next morning, my first thought being "Two days until the swim meet," followed by "Oh shit, where am I? Oh yeah, Haku's apartment."
Haku walks in between the time I wake up and the time I open my eyes.
"Hey, you up?" he asks.
"Yeah, yeah," I say, finally sitting up and rubbing my eyes.
"Good. You want some breakfast?"
"Uh, sure. Thank you!"
"No problem at all. Eggs all right?"
"Absolutely," I say, still in awe of his generosity.
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After finishing a scumptious breakfast, Haku, sitting on the other couch, says, "Hey, listen, I want to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"You know... Pan?"
"Uh huh?"
"We're kind of dating now."
"What?" I almost scream.
"Yeah. That's not too weird, is it?"
I put my hands down by my sides and think about it for a second. I mean, Pan's going to date. And I'm only her uncle. Why should I feel so protective? Plus, if she's going to date someone, why not Haku?
"No, I guess not..."
"You're put off by it, aren't you?"
"Nah, I'm not."
"Yes, you are. Don't lie."
"Okay, yes, a little, but you're an awesome guy. I think that you should date her."
"Really?"
"Absolutely."
"Oh, that's great. I just hope your brother feels the same way."
"I think he will, but y'know, he doesn't have to approve. Trunks dated her for two years and Gohan didn't like him at all."
"Is that so? Well, even so, I would want him to like me."
"Yeah, that makes sense. So... how long have you been dating?"
"Since a little after the new year."
"Ah, I see. Man, that's a little weird."
"You think so?"
"I don't know. I guess I just don't really think about Pan dating. And for her to be dating someone I've known for so long..."
"Yeah, I see what you mean."
"But if she has to date someone I know, I'd want it to be you."
"Aw, thanks, Goten."
"Sure, sure," I reply, casually glancing at my watch. "Oh shit, I have to get to class."
"You want me to take you?"
"Could you?"
"Of course. Let's go."
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On Fridays I only have two classes, and Trunks and I planned it so that he has the second one with me. Despite having gotten a full night of sleep, I nearly fall asleep again in the first one. In the second, I get there about five minutes early and wait anxiously for Trunks to arrive.
He does.
"Hey, 'Ten! How are you?"
"Fine, fine," I reply. I mean, besides finding out that my niece and your ex-girlfriend is dating one of my best friends from high school and that I couldn't go to sleep in my own dorm bed last night. "How about you?"
"Oh, great!" he whispers, as class is beginning. "Last night, Marron and I slept together again. Still no sex, of course, but this time she..."
At this point I tune him out. I don't need to hear this shit again. I stare at his lips describing the events of the night before, and nod at appropriate intervals until theyrest and class begins. Trunks doesn't say anything else for the rest of the class.
After class, however, Trunks asks if I'm ready for the swimming competition tomorrow.
"Of course I am," I respond confidently.
"Great! We're going to kick ass. I'll pick you up tomorrow at around two, all right?"
"Got it. Two o'clock."
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The next day, at 2:21, Trunks pulls up. "Hop in, 'Ten!" he says hurriedly. As if I'm the reason we're going to be late. I get in, though.
After a few minutes of driving in silence, I pipe up. "How are you?"
"Good, good. Listen, I'm sorry I was late. I stayed at Marron's parents' place last night and I kinda forgot about this until like half an hour ago."
"Oh, I see," I say, looking down.
How could he forget? This is all the swim club has been doing for the last five months.
I look out the window at the scenery speeding past me and then close my eyes hard, sinking down into the car seat.
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About an hour later, we have arrived at our destination and my race is about to start. Our team came in different cars, and Trunks and I were, of course, the last to arrive. In fact, because I'm late, I was disqualified from all but the final race. That's okay, I suppose. I was only going to participate in one other anyway, and the final race was the only one I really wanted to do. I quickly change into my swimwear and prepare for the race.
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"Three, two, one, start!"
I dive in and start off in the lead.
I knew it. I knew I could do this. It's a piece of cake. Trunks will be proud. And then Trunks will like me.
Sigh.
No, he won't. Not like he likes Marron.
That's all I want.
Dammit, Trunks.
What is wrong with me?
Why do I like him? He doesn't like guys. He doesn't. Why...
Why am I thinking about this? Shouldn't I be concentrating on the race?
I notice that two people are ahead of me now.
Dammit, Trunks.
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I finish in fourth. The top three get medals. Shit. I know I could've placed.
Don't hate me, Trunks.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I tried. I really did.
I should've gotten higher. I want a rematch.
That wouldn't be fair though. Maybe one of the other swimmers was thinking about a straight guy he was in love with.
Yeah, right. That kind of shit only happens to me.
Trunks,...
"Goten," Trunks says, towering over me as I sit on the edge of the pool.
"I'm sorry," I respond, not looking up, eyes beginning to fill with tears and mixing with the pool water already on my face.
"It's okay, Goten. What happened?"
"Nothing. I just got sidetracked, I guess."
"Sidetracked? Like how?"
"I don't want to talk about it, all right?" I respond, eyes fixed on the ripples in the pool.
"All right. Well, dry off, and let's go home."
I nod in response.
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Except for the radio, the car ride home is silent.
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